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Seasonal viruses are beginning to make the rounds in the London region, an annual wave of illness that puts pressure on hospitals. In addition to flu and COVID-19 shots, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines are available for the most vulnerable. Here’s what you need to know.
What is RSV?
RSV usually causes mild cold-like symptoms in most people but can lead to serious complications for young children, immunocompromised adults and seniors.
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While most people who contract RSV can recover at home, some are sick enough to be admitted to hospital for treatment. People who are hospitalized may be given oxygen or antiviral medications.
Like flu and COVID-19, the seasonal infection typically starts ramping up in November and sticks around through the remainder of the respiratory virus season, typically declining in March or April. Public Health Ontario, which has reported four RSV outbreaks so far this season, is projecting that RSV activity in the province will increase in the coming weeks.
How is it spread?
RSV is spread by droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. People can also pick up the virus from surfaces including toys, eating utensils and unwashed hands. The virus can live on surfaces for hours, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
The health unit recommends people wash their hands, clean surfaces frequently and stay home when they are sick to reduce the spread of RSV.
Who can get an RSV vaccine?
The free RSV vaccine is only available to specific populations. Children two years old and younger are eligible for the publicly funded shot.
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Women who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant are eligible for the RSV vaccine and can receive it at their family doctor or obstetrician.
Adults over 60 years old who are at high-risk for severe outcomes – including ones experiencing homelessness, long-term care and retirement home residents and First Nation, Inuit or Metis individuals – are also eligible for the free shot.
Ontarians 60 and older who aren’t eligible for the publicly funded vaccine can also get a prescription and pay out-of-pocket for the RSV vaccine at a pharmacy.
The situation so far
Respiratory virus season is only just beginning in the London area. The Middlesex-London Health Unit has no active institutional outbreaks of RSV.
As of Oct. 20, the health unit reported one RSV hospitalization in London and Middlesex County.
At the peak of last year’s respiratory virus season however, the health unit was averaging as many as 14 new admissions to hospital for RSV each week.
The percentage of tests coming back positive for RSV was 1.4 per cent as of mid-October, compared to a high of more than seven per cent last season.
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